If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

My step-bro (mechanic in training) figures it's an ignition-related problem. We tried boosting the car and that didn't help. The battery is only about 4 months old. The spark-plugs were replaced about 2 months ago...perhaps it's a bad wire?

if the cap/rotor and wires are old, any condensation in the cap could potentially be negating the spark that is trying to jump. cap and rotor are cheap, so are wires, ifyou havent changed tehm all in a while, do it soon

No spark = no start. 79 is DuraSpark, which is not that weather sensitive. If you have no spark at the ignition coil, its not the cap or rotor. Its also not a bad wire. I'd be more inclined to think bad connection at the coil, bad connection between the distributor and Dspark box, or maybe a bad Dspark. You'll need to do some more diagnosis.

1) Do you have +12v at the + side of the coil with the key on (test light is fine to check)? If yes, goto 2. If not, check your connectors at the starter relay, at the coil, and the ignition switch.as well as the ballast resistor.
2) Do you have 12v at the + side of the coil when cranking? If yes, goto 3. If not, check the connection between the I terminal on the starter relay and the + side of the coil.
3) If the test light is across the coil, does it blink when cranking the engine? If yes, goto 4, otherwise check the connections at the dspark box, and at the distributor.
4) Will the coil spark to ground when cranking? If yes, goto 5, otherwise replace coil
5) do you have spark at the spark plug end of the coil wire? If yes, the motor ought to run. If not, check/replace the igntiion wires and distributor cap/rotor.

There's probably a much more comprehensive troubleshooting chart for the ignition system, but that ought to get you pointed in the right direction.

No spark = no start. 79 is DuraSpark, which is not that weather sensitive. If you have no spark at the ignition coil, its not the cap or rotor. Its also not a bad wire. I'd be more inclined to think bad connection at the coil, bad connection between the distributor and Dspark box, or maybe a bad Dspark. You'll need to do some more diagnosis.

1) Do you have +12v at the + side of the coil with the key on (test light is fine to check)? If yes, goto 2. If not, check your connectors at the starter relay, at the coil, and the ignition switch.as well as the ballast resistor.
2) Do you have 12v at the + side of the coil when cranking? If yes, goto 3. If not, check the connection between the I terminal on the starter relay and the + side of the coil.
3) If the test light is across the coil, does it blink when cranking the engine? If yes, goto 4, otherwise check the connections at the dspark box, and at the distributor.
4) Will the coil spark to ground when cranking? If yes, goto 5, otherwise replace coil
5) do you have spark at the spark plug end of the coil wire? If yes, the motor ought to run. If not, check/replace the igntiion wires and distributor cap/rotor.

There's probably a much more comprehensive troubleshooting chart for the ignition system, but that ought to get you pointed in the right direction.